Freeman Fire burns nearly 2K acres near Tucson, prompts evacuations

The Freeman Fire, formerly known as the Wash Fire, grew overnight and burned nearly 2,000 acres north of Tucson, prompting evacuations on Friday.

The lightning-caused fire near Oracle spread as windy conditions pushed the fire in all directions and forced the evacuation of Willow Spring Ranch, the Department of Forestry and Fire Management said. As of 10:15 p.m. on Thursday, officials were considering the evacuation of Hayden Ranch as well.

Officials said fire growth on the west side of the blaze was slowing down Friday morning near the Black Mountains, but the east side continued to burn through land with heavy vegetation.

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Tucson fire crews battled the fire since it started around 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Containment remained at 0% and officials said the blaze burned more than 1,750 acres.

Officials said fire crews used protection efforts to save a nearby tower and high voltage power line that were vulnerable to damage from the growing flames.

The fire was the result of two fires that merged together after two different lightning strikes.